A number of homes across Kenilworth have and continue to be affected by a major burst water main in the Kenilworth area. Severn Trent are advising that engineers are on site and making repairs so normal service can be restored. This information alert timed at 2014hrs. If you require any assistance or further information please telephone Severn Trent on 0800 783 4444 or go to http://www.stwater.co.uk
Latest Edition of Kenilworth Update (February 2014) published
3, 11,13,16,18, 50, – Criminals winning lottery numbers in Kenilworth
Criminals have won the lottery in Kenilworth, or at least they must think they have with the help being given to them to commit crime by over 50% of the town’s residents. In less than a month the town has become a magnet for thieves who have quickly realised there are rich pickings to had by just visiting peoples drives because so many people are leaving items such a seat navs and laptops in vehicles.
3 Types of items are attracting thieves Sat Navs, Laptops and “other valuables” – 1 thing in common is that they are all being left in vehicles by their owners.
11 All the crimes that we are referring to here this morning have taken place in the 11th month November.
13 The year in the 21st century, 2013 has seen Neighbourhood Watch and Kenilworth’s Safer Neighbourhood Team stress time and time again not to leave garage doors open with property on show or leave valuable items in vehicles. To the criminals delight the message is not getting through.
16 Is the number of thefts that have taken place in November involving the taking of property from motor vehicles with also a couple of opportunist burglaries thrown in.
18 The number of days in November that the 16 crimes have taken place. Kenilworth is now being targeted nearly daily by criminals and its little wonder when past success encourages them that a repeat visit is unlikely to mean them leaving empty handed.
50 Over 50% of the crimes reported involving the taking of property from motor vehicles are either from insecure (unlocked) vehicles or where there are obvious signs of valuable property inside.
Crown Watch is appealing to all residents of the town to wake up to what is going on in their neighbourhood and to stop, think and act.
STOP – Just because it has not happened to you does not mean it can’t or won’t.
THINK – Go through your current routine and what you do, Is there something that you do that could or does make it easy for a criminal. Leaving the sat nav or laptop in your vehicle? Leaving your garage doors open displaying your property?
ACT – When you have stopped and thought then ACT. Change that routine, don’t leave valuables in your vehicles, anywhere – and that most definitely means your drive at home. too! Keep doors shut and check you have sensible precautions such as burglar alarms and security lighting that comes on when someone approaches your property.
If we all make it difficult for criminals then they will soon get the message. At the moment too many are making it easy for them and that’s why they keep coming back for more!
If you have any information about any of the crimes that have taken place over November, perhaps you may have seen something, someone or a vehicle acting suspiciously please contact Warwickshire Police on 101 or anonymously using Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111
Crime Alerts Must Support Kenilworth
Following receipt of the crime alert that led to the earlier post being sent out from this website I wrote to the Chief Constable: Here is what I said;
20 November 2013
Andy Parker
Chief Constable
Warwickshire Police
Dear Chief Constable,
I am disappointed and sorry that I find myself writing to you again over a subject that I have raised previously and some considerable time ago.
I wish to make it clear that I do not wish to impugn in anyway the person who continues to do their best in respect of communicating neighbourhood watch information. Its clear to me that process and/or organisational elements are leading to the failure I will outline.
My concern relates to Warwickshire Police’s apparent inability to provide crime notifications to the community via its alert system on anything resembling a timely basis. This inability seriously undermines the provenance of Neighbourhood Watch communications and thus their effectiveness.
The latest crime alert email and attachment gives details of crimes that were committed and recorded some 12 days ago. Frankly, its far too late and people are vulnerable to becoming victims of crime without warning of such activities in their neighbourhood. This is to say nothing about there being less likelihood of people remembering things and being able to give you information for any investigations.
Clearly, by virtue of this email and its attachment, a sustainable resolution has yet to be found and implemented that ensures crime notifications are received promptly by the community. You do not need me to rehearse the potential effects, if left unresolved, this situation presents for active engagement to diminish between the community and the police who serve it.
As you know I have been actively involved in Neighbourhood Watch for 16 years, extending my volunteering to becoming a Special Constable for 9 years and more latterly developing “Kenilworth Update” which I have produced every month for over two years.
Therefore I do hope you understand my frustration and dismay that such efforts, and I include all other NHW volunteers in this, are significantly and repeatedly being undermined.
The issue is compounded with the knowledge that for many years crime information and alerts were sent out usually within 24 hours. I realise that things have moved on but even in a more centralised environment such an ability could and should exist. Indeed, there is a far greater onus to resource effective communication resources 24/7 when you have had to face and manage contractions in your geographical operational presence.
With the existence and functionality of new technology this is an area that presents real opportunity at little or no cost to realise real engagement with the community and benefits to both them and your operation.
I appeal that this subject is given some priority and focus as a matter of urgency. I look forward to what, if anything, is proposed as a comprehensive, effective and sustainable solution to resolve this unacceptable state of affairs.
Thanks in anticipation of your attention.
Yours sincerely
Fraser Pithie
Latest Kenilworth Update (July 2013) published
Latest Kenilworth Update (June 2013) (published by Crown Watch in support and with the assistance of Kenilworth’s Safer Neighbourhood Team and endorsed by Kenilworth’s Community Forum
Kenilworth Watch 